Industry's First 22nm FD-SOI Technology Platform
GLOBALFOUNDRIES has launched a new semiconductor technology developed specifically to meet the ultra-low-power requirements of the next generation of connected devices. The "22FDX" platform delivers FinFET-like performance and energy-efficiency at a cost comparable to 28nm planar technologies, providing an optimal solution for the rapidly evolving mainstream mobile, Internet-of-Things (IoT), RF connectivity and networking markets.
"Next-generation connected devices, in markets from wearables and IoT to mobile and consumer, require semiconductor solutions that provide an optimal balance of performance, power and cost"
While some applications require the ultimate performance of three-dimensional FinFET transistors, most wireless devices need a better balance of performance, power consumption and cost. 22FDX provides the best path for cost-sensitive applications by leveraging the industry's first 22nm two-dimensional, fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FD-SOI) technology. It offers industry's lowest operating voltage at 0.4 volt, enabling ultra-low dynamic power consumption, less thermal impact, and smaller end-product form-factors. The 22FDX platform delivers a 20 percent smaller die size and 10 percent fewer masks than 28nm, as well as nearly 50 percent fewer immersion lithography layers than foundry FinFET.
"The 22FDX platform enables our customers to deliver differentiated products with the best balance of power, performance and cost," said Sanjay Jha, chief executive officer of GLOBALFOUNDRIES. "In an industry first, 22FDX provides real-time system software control of transistor characteristics: the system designer can dynamically balance power, performance, and leakage. Additionally, for RF and analog integration, the platform delivers best scaling combined with highest energy efficiency."
22FDX leverages the high-volume 28nm platform in GLOBALFOUNDRIES' state-of-the-art 300mm production line in Dresden, Germany. This technology heralds a new chapter in the "Silicon Saxony" story, building on almost 20 years of sustained investment in Europe's largest semiconductor fab. GLOBALFOUNDRIES launches its FDX platform in Dresden by investing $250 million for technology development and initial 22FDX capacity. This brings the company's total investment in Fab 1 to more than $5 billion since 2009. The company plans to make further investments to support additional customer demand. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is partnering with R&D and industry leaders to grow a robust ecosystem and to enable faster time-to-market as well as a comprehensive roadmap for its 22FDX offering.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES' 22FDX platform enables software-control of transistor characteristics to achieve real time tradeoff between static power, dynamic power and performance. This platform consists of a family of differentiated products architected to support the needs of various applications.
